Johanns will not seek re-election in 2014

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2013- Senator Mike Johanns, R-Neb., announced Monday he will not seek re-election in 2014. A former Secretary of Agriculture under President George W. Bush and Governor of Nebraska from 1999 to 2005, Johanns will finish his first term in the U.S. Senate in January of 2015.

In a letter to his constituents this morning, Johanns and his wife, Stephanie, noted that “between the two of us, we have been on the ballot for primary and general elections 16 times and we have served eight offices. It is time to close this chapter of our lives.”

They wrote, “We want a quieter time with our focus on each other, our family and our faith.”

Johanns’ retirement will leave a Senate seat open for Nebraska in 2014. He serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee as well as Appropriations; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; and Veterans Affairs.

The entire letter is below:

Dear Fellow Nebraskans,

We would like to share with you a decision we have made about running for re-election to the United States Senate. We have decided not to seek re-election.

Words are inadequate to fully express our appreciation for the friendship and support you have given to us over the past three decades.

With everything in life, there is a time and a season. At the end of this term, we will have been in public service over 32 years. Between the two of us, we have been on the ballot for primary and general elections 16 times and we have served in eight offices. It is time to close this chapter of our lives.

During these many years, we have cherished our time together. So as we think about the next stage of our lives, we want a quieter time with our focus on each other, our family and our faith. We are also confident that there will be many more opportunities to serve our state and our nation.

We look forward to the remaining time in the Senate. It is an honor to have served in so many ways over so many years.

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